Children’s Ministry

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

Sunday School Information

 

Parent Information Letter 2021-22

 

Click link below for children’s devotionals, parent resources, and news for the month

Children’s Ministry News July 2022

 

Click links below to access Sunday School videos for the week

Preschool Sunday School This Week

Younger Elementary Sunday School This Week

Older Elementary Sunday School This Week

 

The Hamilton Nursery, which serves our children ages birth through pre-kindergarten, is open on Sundays during our 8:30 am Traditional Service, 9:30 am Sunday School, and 11:00 am Traditional and Prism Services in the following rooms:

Lambs (birth until walking): Room 221

Doves (walking through 2 years old by August 15, 2021): Room 220

Whales (2 years old by August 15, 2021): Room 224

Lions (3 years old by August 15, 2021): Room 214/216

Eagles (4 years old by August 15, 2021-prekindergarten): Room 233/234

 

Elementary Sunday School meets from 9:30-10:30 am. All elementary children start in the Huddle (Room 240) then move to small groups in the following Children’s Wing classrooms:

Kindergarten & 1st Grade girls: Room 260/262

Kindergarten & 1st Grade boys: Room 256/258

2nd & 3rd Grade girls: Room 240 (The Huddle)

2nd & 3rd Grade boys: Room 259

4th & 5th Grade girls: Room 257

4th & 5th Grade boys: Room 261

(Note: In the summer and on holiday weekends, all Elementary children will stay together in the Huddle- Room 240)

Please contact Callie Beaver at [email protected] to be added to our email distribution list. Our church services will also continue to be live streamed each week. We encourage all of our families to spend some time together (either at church or at home) in worship and Sunday School every week!

Upcoming Programs

Register for all Events HERE

WOW- Worship on Wednesdays with Kids

(Resumes in September 2022)

Our mid-week program which runs during the school year provides a variety of opportunities for children to experience Christian fellowship and develop a closer relationship to Christ. This is our children’s ministry equivalent of “youth group”. Our Kindergarten-5th graders will meet in the Huddle (Room 240) and the nursery will be open for birth-prekindergarten. We will have child-friendly worship from 6:00-6:30 and then close with small groups where we enjoy discussion, games, and crafts. We need you to preregister online (Look for WOW under Open Registrations) so that we know how many to expect each week. Any questions, contact [email protected].

We are also offering children’s bell choir (grades 3-5) at 5:30 on Wednesday evenings. Rehearsals will be in the bell choir room next to the fellowship hall. Contact Natalie Duncan with questions about bell choir.

Vacation Bible School 2022

(Evening VBS- June 1-3, 2022; Weekday VBS June 6-10, 2022)

Children who are four years old by August 15, 2022 through children entering 6th grade are eligible to participate in VBS. If your child is younger than that age, we have a special Volunteer VBS just for them which is available (free of charge) to the children of volunteers.

ADULT AND YOUTH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! VBS is a great production which requires many hands. We need help with decorations, curriculum preparation, and administrative tasks. Of course, we need many Adult and Youth volunteers during the week to lead stations and small groups. You do not have to have school age children participating in VBS to volunteer. We have a place for you if you are interested in volunteering. Please contact Callie Beaver or Natalie Adkinson to find where you are best suited to serve.

Scripture on Stage Theater Camp

(June 20-23)


Is your child a budding actor/actress? Does he/she love performing in front of others? We are excited to announce a new event for the children’s ministry at GUMC! This summer, June 20-23 from 10am-2pm, we will host Scripture on Stage Theatre Camp for children who have completed 1st-5th grades. More info coming soon! Registration will open April 1st on the church website.

Mission and Movie Mondays: June 27 and July 18, 2022

Get out of the hot summer heat and join some friends for crafts, lesson, lunch and a movie. Children have an incredible heart for missions but no way to generate income to financially support them. Each of these Mondays, we will learn about a different local, national, or international mission. We then create some high-quality crafts and then sacrificially donate them to be sold in the fall to generate money for a chosen mission. After our hard work, we will enjoy a pizza lunch and flop in the beanbag chairs for a movie and treat. This is a great way to learn, give, and have fun – out of the summer heat! Lunch is $5. Please register online.

Summer Dodgeball/Gaga Ball: June 29 and July 20, 2022

If you are looking for some great fun, summer dodgeball/gaga ball is for you! Join us at the OLEC to play some dodgeball, gaga ball, and eat popsicles. This event is free of charge, and guests are welcome. Kids in rising grades 3-6 only, please. Register online.

Table for 8 Parent Night Out: Date TBD

You know you need it! Let us spend some quality time with your kids while you enjoy a night out. Kids will enjoy a night of pizza, dessert, and a movie. The Middle will host a Table for 8 event this evening and match you up with other adults for an evening of eating and fellowship. Please register online and you will receive an email from the Middle about Table for 8. Cost is $10 per child.

Mission Camp for Rising 5th and 6th Graders

(July 5-8, 2022; 9:30 AM-3:00 PM)

This week of discovery leads children who are entering grades 5 and 6 through a variety of mission opportunities. Children will work in inner-church missions, urban missions, and rural missions. This is a transforming week for children as they taste the types of mission opportunities available and begin deciding where they feel most lead to serve. Contact Callie Beaver at [email protected] with any questions.

Lakeshore Camp

(July 24-30, 2022)

“Away Camp” is a life-changing experience for children. We are taking a crew from GUMC to Lakeshore for a week of fun and fellowship. If you are interested in attending this week, please register through Lakeshore’s Website (https://lakeshorecamp.org) and then drop an email to middle school director Lisa Pierce ([email protected]) or elementary director Callie Beaver ([email protected]) so we can coordinate this trip together. Our youth ministry team, Lisa Pierce and Brian Richards, will be staying the week as camp deans of Elementary Camp #4. There is also a Jr. High Camp #3 that same week for any students who have completed grades 5-8 (must be 12 years old). Of course, we will be needing high school counselors who would like to work with us this week! If you have not trained as a Lakeshore counselor but are interested in participating in this way, please contact Lisa Pierce for information.

Lakeshore has an abundance of opportunities for all campers; there are a variety of camps offered all summer long! There are camps for people with special needs, as well as camps for people who have suffered traumatic experiences. There is a camp for people who love to fish, a camp for people who love aquatics, a camp for the arts, and a camp for those who love living in the wilderness. There is even a camp for people who love board games! There is a camp for everyone, so go to their website and take a peek.

If you ARE interested in participating the week of July 24, we encourage you to register as soon as possible. This week of camp fills up quickly.

3rd Grade Bibles

(September 2022)

During  one of our worship services in September, we will present our 3rd graders with their very own bible. The Friday night before the presentation, we will have a 3rd Grade Bible Retreat from 6:00-9:00 PM where our 3rd graders will enjoy dinner, a special worship service, and Bible-centric games and fun. Please contact Callie Beaver if you have a 3rd grader who will be receiving a bible this fall.

 

Fall Fest

(October 29, 2022)

This church-wide celebration takes place from 4:00-6:00 at our beautiful McVay Gardens. Kids may wear non-scary costumes and enjoy fun activities such as inflatables, a hay ride,  face painting, pumpkin painting, putt-putt, and other games led by our adult Sunday school classes. We invite all church members and guests to come enjoy some fall fun and fellowship.

Advent Workshop

(November 16, 2022)

In preparation for the Advent season, families are invited to attend this special mid-November event geared towards children of all ages. Families can create their own Advent wreath, decorate ornaments, and have fun with other Advent crafts. There are light refreshments. This event is free to all and no registration is required.

Journey to Bethlehem

(December 3, 2022)

Families with young children (and older people who are children at heart) are invited to attend this special GUMC tradition. Children will walk the path of Jesus’ birth. They will begin with the angels, move to Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth, visit the shepherds, and finish with the wise men. After learning the reason we share gifts at Christmas, children will have a chance to share their wish list with the Jolly Ol’ Guy himself. This event is free to all. Please see details and register online.

Children’s Alternative Christmas

(December 3 and 4, 2022)

At our Children’s Alternative Christmas market, preschool and elementary-aged children will have an opportunity to shop for gifts for family and friends. Each gift is $5, of beautiful quality, wrapped, and tagged. Children will also learn about free-trade and mission-oriented gifts and will learn about being a purposeful giver. Preschool children may shop between worship hours or after church ends.  No registration necessary; bring $5 for each gift you intend to purchase. The market will be open on December 3 from 9:30-11:00 and from 9:00-11:00 on December 4.

Ignite!- A Retreat for 4th and 5th Graders

(February 2023)

4/5 graders travel to a local retreat facility for a one-night retreat with a focus on worship, fellowship, and team building. This weekend is a lot of fun, action packed, and full of growth as we learn to worship in a more meaningful way.

Created by God

(February 2023)

Created by God is a program resource designed to communicate to fifth and sixth graders that we are a fantastic creation made by God. The topics of human sexuality, values, and relationships are approached in a frank, honest, and Bible-based manner. This is a Friday night and Saturday morning course for tweens; parental attendance is required for two sessions. There will be a parent meeting in January to answer any questions before registration opens January 2022.

Easter Egg Hunt

(April 8, 2023)

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt is held the Saturday before Easter at our beautiful McVay Gardens. This fun and festive event provides photo opportunities galore! In addition to the traditional Egg Hunt, children can enjoy fun crafts, a petting zoo, train rides, and much more! The Easter Bunny makes an appearance as well! Registration opens on Monday, March 21st!

Children’s Music Choirs

We have resumed our Cherub (Ages 4-5), Alleluia (Kindergarten-2nd Grade), and Hosanna (3rd-5th Grades) Choirs. We meet on Sunday afternoons from 5:00-6:00 PM. Please contact Todd Wilson for details!

Team Sports

(seasonal)

Playing team sports is a wonderful way to build friendships, confidence, and a love for active fun. If your child is interested in team sports, please consult our opportunities offered through our Health and Recreation Ministry at the Owings Life Enrichment Center (OLEC). Contact Judy Oros at [email protected] for more information.

 Children’s Soccer, T-Ball, and Basketball

Register online under What’s Going On- Open Registrations!  Reach out to Judy Oros at [email protected] for info!!

Ways to Join the Children’s Ministry Team

We want you to consider how you can work with us to create a vibrant ministry. There are a number of volunteer opportunities. Please read through these and find a place you feel your talents can best be used. We would love to see all families represented in our ministry. Just like most ministries, you will find you get much more back than you could ever give. Please prayerfully consider your role.

Sunday Morning Kids Quest Mentor: This crucial role is on the front lines of ministry with children. These individuals come each Sunday starting in August, building relationship with the children and sharing the Good News. Mentors use lessons to follow up the main lesson taught in large group. All lessons and materials are provided; you only need to bring a servant’s heart and love for God and children. Men, we need YOU to lead our boy groups. Time requirement includes 1 hour 15 minutes on Sunday morning and about 15 minutes of prep each week. We understand work and travel and will have substitutes for these occasions. Please contact Callie Beaver if you are interested in this role.

Sunday Morning Substitute Teachers: These individuals fill in when our regular Sunday School mentors are not available. All lessons and materials are provided; you only need to bring a servant’s heart and love for God and children. Please contact Callie Beaver if you are interested.

Sunday Morning Stepping Stones Volunteers: These individuals present or assist with the weekly small-group lesson in the preschool classes. After large group time, each group will return to their classroom for the small group lesson. All lessons and materials are provided. Please contact Natalie Adkinson to volunteer for this ministry.

Grace Class Leader: Grace is our class designed for elementary-aged children with special needs. We need teachers for this class as well as shadows to go with children if they chose to enter the Kids Quest program. Volunteers can either serve for one month or once a month for the school year; commitment is about one hour 15 minutes each week. All materials and training are provided. Please contact Natalie Adkinson if you are interested.

Wednesday Night Small Group Leader: These individuals will join us on Wednesday nights for dinner, worship, and small group. We will begin at 5:30 with dinner in the Huddle, move to the chapel for worship, and then break into small groups and games.  We will end at 7:15. All lessons and materials are provided. This is a semester commitment running for 10 weeks (excluding fall break and ending at Thanksgiving for the semester). We will resume in January and run up to Palm Sunday. Please contact Callie Beaver if you are interested in helping with this ministry. (If you are not able to make it in time for the dinner, you are welcome to join us at 6:00 for the rest of the evening.)

Wednesday Night Food Prep: These individuals purchase and prepare the meal for Wednesday nights each week. The meals are very “kid-friendly” including favorites such as chicken nuggets, pizza, hot dogs, etc. No big-time cooking is necessary, just heating and serving. Time commitment each week is approximately one hour for purchase of food and two hours for preparing/serving/cleaning up. This job could be divided if multiple people work together. This is also a wonderful way for a Sunday school class to serve. Please contact Callie Beaver if you are interested in serving in this ministry area. Note: We will not be having Wednesday night meals during the 2021-2022 school year.

Kids Quest Lesson/Environment Prep Team: Our curriculum has monthly themes which require environment changes and props. This team will develop the environment each month for our theme as well as assemble props for the weekly stories. We also have numerous copies to be made and materials to be gathered for each month’s lessons. This will require about five hours a month and is not a Sunday morning commitment. Please contact Callie Beaver if you are interested in helping in this ministry area.

Special Events Team: This team works seasonally for special events such as Fall Festival, Advent Workshop, Journey to Bethlehem, Easter Egg Hunt, etc. Please contact Callie Beaver if you are interested in this ministry area.

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Please prayerfully consider where you can serve in our children’s ministry, doing it all for the glory of God.

Email Signup

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Children’s Ministry email list! Click Here

Sunday School

The Children’s Ministry is sending home monthly emails with Sunday School resources for our preschoolers and elementary school children. Please contact Natalie Adkinson or Callie Beaver if you are not receiving these emails. You can also access each week’s Sunday School video lesson at the top of this page.

There are three main goals for our Sunday School ministry:

  1. Move kids to love God by inciting WONDER.

  2. Move kids to love life by provoking DISCOVERY.

  3. Move kids to love others by fueling PASSION.

While every lesson is different, there is an element in each which leads back to these concepts. We want the children to understand the Scriptures are alive and relevant to today. Therefore, our lessons are active, engaging, and hands-on. Our one priority is to teach kids to LOVE GOD! “‘…with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22: 37-38